By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Former Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) men’s basketball coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin and ADMU were found administratively liable for separate violations of foreign employment rules and ordered to pay a total of PHP4.92 million in fines.
In its decision Tuesday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ruled that both parties violated Article 40 of the Labor Code because Baldwin failed to secure a valid Alien Employment Permit (AEP) while coaching for ADMU from Dec. 1, 2015, to Sept. 28, 2016.
Under Department Order No. 146-15, DOLE imposed a separate administrative fine of PHP10,000 each on Baldwin and the university for this initial permit violation.
The DOLE also found Baldwin liable for failure to secure the required Certificate of Exemption for his subsequent employment.
Under the applicable rules, the unauthorized employment of a foreign national without the required exemption certificate constitutes continuing noncompliance, with each day treated as a separate prohibited act.
Consequently, for a 490-day period from Feb. 10, 2025, until his resignation on June 15, 2026, Baldwin and the university were held jointly and solidarily liable for a PHP4.9 million fine, computed at PHP10,000 per day.
“Without prejudice to civil, administrative, or criminal complaints pending before other investigative agencies or the courts of law against Mr. Baldwin, this matter is hereby referred to the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation for summary deportation proceedings,” the DOLE decision stated.
The DOLE investigation into Baldwin’s labor law compliance and lack of a valid AEP was triggered by the controversial June 8 team-building tragedy in Aurora, where Ateneo Blue Eagles players Rene Clert Baterbonia, 18, and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili, 21, drowned. (PNA)
